We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
Now that I am struggling with my education, my only concentration is to ensure that I study so hard and pass my exams. It is from there when I will consider thinking about other goals that may affect my career.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
The biggest difference in my daily life in the last four months is that my life has been a bit easier now that nowadays I do not go broke while in school. Unlike before when I did not have enough money, I would even go without food since the money that I was being given by my parents was not enough. My concentration at class is very high now that I am able to feed well.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
In six months' time, I expect to have fully repaid my school fee balance. Its only 10 months before I conclude my college education and my hope is to ensure that by that time, I will only be struggling with revising for my final examinations and not school fee payment.
16th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Being able to join college to pursue my dream course makes my life currently different from how it was four months ago. I had always desired to further my studies but all was in vain until when my grandmother promised to support me if I would be able to cater for some of my needs. I thank God for GiveDirectly since were it not for the financial aid they are giving me, this would not have been possible.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
At the moment, I do not have any new or additional goals for my life as I want to concentrate on helping my grandmother in catering for some of my needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
When I joined a tertiary institution recently, I had so many commitments to a point that I did not have any money to use in buying some essentials as a lady. Due to this, I would at times take a mobile banking loan to buy these things. In the last four months preceding my current transfer, my life has changed as I can now afford to buy these essentials. This has made me live a happy life daily as my hygiene has greatly improved.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I believe that my life will no longer be the same again in the next six months. This is because though I will not have finished my studies, my knowledge gained at school will have increased. In addition to this, I will no longer be depending on my grandmother so much on everything as I will be using my transfers to cater for most of my needs.
12th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($23 USD)
access_time over 5 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
Meeting my daily needs is one of the current abilities I enjoy. My mother who is a single parent has so many of us to provide for us. This had resulted in insufficient provisions but using the transfer, I am able to afford decent meals here at school. Currently, I stoke foodstuffs that usually hells me in keeping a healthy diet as I study. I am also able to pay rent on time. As a result, I concentrate better with my studies as this is worries have all been wiped out.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I don't have any plan because I am still in school so I have to continue using the money to meeting my daily needs. Mainly, I use the money to pay rent for the room I use at the college.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
My life as a student in a medical school had previously been so miserable until GiveDirectly transfers came. Studying in a college far away from home meant that I had to pay rent for the room I live in. This has been the hardest part of my life because my parent would occasionally fail to sent money on time. The landlord would always pester me on rent payment and the delay was dreadful. This changed four months ago when I began to use the monthly transfers to pay it. This is so convenient because the cash comes very early in the month and now, I have no worries and no problems with the landlord.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to have changed in the next six months to have completed my course in medical health records. I will be looking for job.
8th Payment
Transfer Amount
2280 KES ($22 USD)
access_time almost 6 years ago
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How is your life currently different from how it was four months ago?
I am not stressed as far as my basic needs are concerned. GiveDirectly transfers sufficiently meet my needs of accommodation and food. This makes the current difference in my life and I am grateful.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life for the next four months?
I have a new goal in my life. It is to start my own salon business. In the next four months I would have cleared my cosmetology course and I looking forward to starting the business.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life in the last four months preceding the current transfer.
I have been able to meet my basic needs - food, rent and clothing - in college. This is the biggest difference in my daily life in the past four months. I do not need to keep asking for upkeep from my relatives who were earlier supporting me. I no longer feel like a burden that much. I have this assurance of my basic needs being met because of GiveDirectly transfers.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect to be independent financially in the next six months. I look forward to being self-employed and the freedom that comes with it. I expect to be running my salon business and I believe it will go well and be a good source of income for me.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
2735 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 6 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
I only have one goal which is to join college so that I can further my studies.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life currently is different since I can buy myself whatever I need without having to ask for money from someone else.
How do you expect your life to change in the next six months?
I expect my life to change in that I will be having some savings which I will use to pay for my college fee when I join.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life is that I can now easily communicate with my relatives and friends who are far since I was given a phone which I did not own before.
Enrolled
access_time almost 7 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I've ever faced in my life was when I finished secondary school with a low grade. Up-to now I haven't gone to any college.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is during afternoon when I'm free from home. At that point I'm able to go to the shopping center for some side hustle.
What are you planning to spend your transfer on?
I'm planning to spend my transfer on buying basic needs that my parents won't be able to afford.
What is the achievement you are proudest of?
The greatest achievement I'm proud of in my life was the ability to finish my secondary school education without school fees issues.